ZMF Atticus Measurements and Review

I agree Atticus love tubes. I am going to TRY and relate some of the information I have experience with my Atticus and pad swapping. I am not experience enough, nor have multiple headphones to compare to. I have the stock pads and purchased suede eikon pads.
Equipment: Decware Taboo MKIV - Gungnir Multibit -- Decware Modded Tascam CD240
Stock Lambskin Pads - love these pads with rock n roll ( for me mostly 60's and 70's). good for any genre where foot tapping and a boogie effect is desired. Caused by mid-bass rhythm , beat whatever you desire to call i
Snare drum hits are faster, everything is faster snappier than with Eikon Suede Pads.
Jazz ( Brubeck, Getz, Stanley Clarke etc) I like both pads depending on my mood. Snappy, Quick or laidback with mid level sub bass.

Suede Eikon Pads - Do not like rock n roll with these.
Present classical beautifully, great tone and separation. Not a classical fan but these pads are helpng me enjoy it more than ever.
Quartets - Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Bella Fleck, Joshua Bell, Mark O'conner etc. Whether in quartet, duos or single instruments , the Eikon Suede Pads are the one I prefer by far. More even through frequency ranges, medium amount of sub bass , no mid mass hump.
I will learn macro and micro and other terms in the future I just wanted to relay some information.
Eikon Suede Pads Sub Bass- its there, clear concise enjoyable just not as much gain as mid-bass on Lambskin Pads.
I have described what I have heard the best I am able to. Hope it helps someone.

 

Would any owners past or present be able to comment on which music genres they found (to their ears) worked well with the atticus and which didn't?

Thankyou

 

My relationship with the ZMF Atticus when paired with my Bottlehead Crack + Speedball amplifier is a complex one, a constant ebb and flow of affection and frustration. I often find myself contemplating the idea of parting ways with my Atticus and Crack to fund other audio endeavors, but every time I revisit the combination, I'm pulled back into a realm of admiration, followed by moments of mild disapproval. As I consider the possibility of selling my Atticus and Crack setup, I wanted to share some of my thoughts.

The Atticus headphones seem meticulously designed for dual purposes. First and foremost, they deliver a euphonic, weighty, and dynamic sonic experience when paired with tube amplifiers, especially when using the stock pads. Secondly, they have a unique ability to unearth the buried mid-bass frequencies that some demanding guitarists have unjustly buried in their mixes. However, these purposes aren't always in perfect harmony. The former takes precedence and pairs well with a broad range of musical genres, while the latter acts as a bonus, particularly for those who enjoy rock music with recessed bass frequencies.

Yet, one must exercise caution when using the Crack amplifier with the Atticus headphones. "Warmpoo" is a term that gets thrown around frequently, and if you're not careful with your choice of tubes, your Atticus + Crack combo can indeed take on an excessively warm and muffled character. However, with thoughtful tube selection, the results can be surprisingly balanced. The Crack amplifier manages to mitigate some of the treble peaks and fills in the frequency response gaps, effectively rescuing an Atticus from sounding hollow, excessively bass-heavy, or plagued with unnatural, peaky treble. In my experience, my Crack amplifier tackles this issue better than most other amplifiers I've tried, and it comes at a more reasonable cost compared to alternatives like the Euforia, which has its own pricey tube requirements.

Atticus + Crack is a valuable addition to any headphone collection or audio system, primarily because it serves as a palate cleanser, offering a distinctive and refreshing change from more refined setups. Pursuing a neutral sound signature with the Atticus is somewhat counterproductive, as there are superior headphones designed for that purpose, even if you have a penchant for mid-bass. Regarding other headphones used with the Crack amplifier, while the Sennheiser HD 6XX and HD 600 models perform well on the Crack, they truly shine on more high-end amplifiers. Nevertheless, the Atticus on the Crack can make a compelling argument against pricier amplifiers. The combination delivers a euphonic experience that's a lot of fun. It may struggle with the fastest-paced music, but if you have an Atticus with a harder wood construction, you might eke out a bit more speed.

In conclusion, if you're in search of a sonically captivating experience, the Crack + Atticus combination is a strong contender, especially when accompanied by that distinctive medicinal camphor scent.